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Unexpected reception
Bad experience for Crown Prince Felipe (45) and his wife Letizia (40) in Barcelona. When they entered the opera house in the opera, they were greeted by a whistling concert, mixed with loud boos.
The fact that Barcelona's mayors and other opera friends countered with applause did not improve the mood of the crown prince couple. This friendly gesture was only a small consolation.
It is easy to explain why Felipe and Letizia were pissed off shortly before the performance of Donizetti's "Love Potion": Many Catalans have a hatred for the Bourbons because they took over substantial autonomy rights over 300 years ago.
In addition, of course, the Spanish Crown generally suffers from a serious image loss. Consider the antics accused of King Juan Carlos (75) of the corruption scandal surrounding the husband of Infanta Cristina (47) or the divorce drama of Infanta Elena (49), which is often mentioned in this negative series.
For Spain's crown prince couple, public abuse is particularly distressing for two reasons: First, Felipe and Letizia are the ones who behave impeccably, who strive hard to mitigate damage and who are sure to jealously register that things are going better in Europe's monarchies at the moment.
The visit to Germany by King Willem-Alexander (46) and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands (42), as you can see in all newspapers and TV magazines, is like a triumphal procession.
Whether in Berlin, Hesse or Baden-Württemberg, the newly crowned guests felt and feel that they are welcome and liked.
